She thought she was going to be a personal assistant, not a nanny…

When Penelope Walton lands a job at Goldman Corp, the last thing on her mind is that it might be a cover-up for something dark and illegal that her boss is involved in. When Richard Goldman introduces her to the twins he and his wife have just adopted and tells her she’s going to be in charge of their homeschooling, Penny is disappointed. She doesn’t have a degree in Business Management so she can be an overpaid nanny. Something is wrong here. To make things worse, a mysterious, hot-as-sin businessman has come all the way from Spain to strike a deal with Goldman, and he’s set his eyes on her. Even when red flags pop up, she cannot resist his charms.

His mission was simple… until he saw how far his enemies had gone…

Enzo Salvador is a ram-shifter and an immortal Aries Guardian. His job is to track down, save and protect sheep-shifters who have disappeared and have, most likely, been kidnapped by filthy rich people who think it’s their right to own shifters for their own fun and gain. He will not stand for it. No matter how dangerous his missions are, he will crush every single person who dared to harm one of his kind. His job is his life, so when he meets curvy, sexy Penelope, he tries to lie to himself: he wants her because she’s the key to solving the case, not because the horned beast inside him screams “mate”.

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She switched her weight from one leg to the other and accepted a second glass of champagne from one of the waiters, just so she’d keep at least one of her hands busy. A few steps away, Killian was talking to a gray-haired man whom Penny knew was a politician. She promised herself she would approach her childhood friend as soon as he finished the conversation he was currently in. Just as she was thinking that, Killian turned around and spotted her. A bright smile lit up his features, and he quickly excused himself and headed her way. She smiled in relief. She was saved.

Unfortunately, she had gotten happy and giddy too fast. Killian had crossed half of the distance between them when a tall, dark-haired man stopped him and patted him on the back.

Penny cocked an eyebrow, curiously studying the new guy. “Well, well…” she thought, “I haven’t seen you before. Who are you, handsome?”

The stranger was so bulky that she was pretty sure he belonged in a gym, not at a fancy cocktail party. The expensive suit fit him amazingly, but she could tell he would’ve felt more comfortable in jeans and a T-shirt. Also, he was young. He and Killian were the youngest men in this room, and the only reason why Killian was attending the party was because he was Goldman’s heir. So, what was the dark-haired stranger doing here? He wasn’t a banker, nor a politician. He was too young to have had achieved the level of fortune and influence the old, crabby guys who were present had. Or, was he? Maybe she was too quick to judge?

When she realized all her questions were about to be answered because Killian was bringing the guy over, she inhaled and exhaled deeply and slowly a couple of times. Why was she suddenly feeling all tingly? Yes, the man was hot as hell, but it wasn’t like she hadn’t met other sexy guys before. She’d even dated a few.

“Penny, I’m so glad to see you!”

She giggled when Killian pulled her into a warm embrace and held her there for a second longer. She realized then just how much she’d missed him. He was tall and good-looking, but he’d never been her type. So, no, she had no intention of marrying him, as her parents were still hoping. But she would have enjoyed spending more time with him.

“I want you to meet Enzo Salvador,” he released her and turned to the man politely waiting at a distance. “Enzo, this is Penelope Walton, my father’s personal assistant and close family friend.”

“Encantado.”

Enzo’s fine manners took Penny’s breath away. He looked straight into her eyes, bowed slightly, and took her hand into his. When he kissed her knuckles, Penny felt her knees tremble and her stomach tense in anticipation. Anticipation of what? Electricity ran up her arm and almost made her jolt in surprise.

Killian laughed cheerfully. “Enzo is from Spain, but don’t let him fool you. His English is perfect.”

Penny smiled shyly. She couldn’t look away from those intense, green eyes.

“Encantada?”

“¿Hablas Español, cielo?”

“N-no…” She understood the question, but not the last word. “Cielo?”

Killian shook his head in amusement. “Please don’t mind him, Penny. He’s a charmer, and he says that to all girls.”

Enzo finally released her hand. He turned to Killian and punched him in the shoulder jokingly.

“Why are you never on my side?”

“Not this time, my friend. Penelope is very dear to me and my family. If my father finds out you’re flirting with her, the deal is off.” He laughed wholeheartedly as if to show he was, in fact, kidding.

“Deal? What deal?” Penny was confused. Aside from the fact that Enzo’s slightly accented voice made her whole body tingle, she’d never seen Killian being so close and chatty with someone who was not his brother, Zane. If he had managed to charm Killian, who’d never really had male best friends because he was too competitive for that, then Enzo was, indeed, a charmer.

“Enzo here owns a flourishing business in Central Spain, and we’re in talks of Goldman Corp making a serious investment.”

Penny took a deep breath and turned to Enzo. Why was it so hard to address him and look him in the eyes at the same time?

“What kind of business? I don’t want to pry… I’m just curious.”

He smiled and took a sip of his champagne.

“Have you ever been to Spain, Ms. Walton?”

“Please call me Penny. And no, I haven’t.”

“Well, Penny… Imagine acres and acres of harsh, arid, rocky land. That’s the La Mancha region, where I was born. Now, what do you think one can do with this unfriendly land that would also turn a good profit?”

“Err… I’m sorry.”

“Grow sheep.” He smiled widely. “But not just any kind of sheep. The best suited for the unbearably hot summers and the freezing cold winters we get in La Mancha are the Manchego sheep, and they give the most delicious cheese you’ve ever tasted.”

She blinked in surprise. “Richard Goldman wants to invest in Spanish sheep farms?” She made sure not to express her thoughts out loud. The last thing she wanted was to offend the gorgeous Latino lover who was currently undressing her with his gaze. Not that it was too much of an effort… Her burgundy dress already left little to the imagination.

“Fascinating,” she whispered.

“I can see you’re not impressed,” he smiled indulgently. “How about I steal you from this boring party for old people and show you what my chef can do with Manchego cheese?”

She blushed to the tips of her ears.

Cara Wylde loves to write about strong, feisty women and their hot Alphas who will do anything to make them happy. Her books are filled with romance and just a dash of mystery, suspense, and that eerie atmosphere she fell in love with reading too many gothic novels. With a master’s degree in Comparative Literature, she can’t help but play with tropes and themes from various genres, trying to come up with fresh perspectives on the paranormal characters her readers love so much. Vampires, shapeshifters, demons, witches… Cara will always make sure they get their own twists.

When she’s not writing, Cara is reading, planning her next story, or daydreaming. Her idea of pure heaven is a day filled with nothing but her laptop, a huge coffee pot, relaxing music, and a new, exciting project.

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